How Much Rat Poop Is in Peanut Butter?
WouterWhile it’s impossible to know how much rat poop is in a single serving of peanut butter, the FDA does allow for a few strands of rodent hair in a typical serving. That’s about eight pieces of rodent fur in a single tablespoon of peanut butter, or a tiny bit of rodent filth in one fourth of an average jar. The FDA has strict regulations for the manufacturing of peanut butter, so you may want to stay away from the stuff.
Insect fragments are allowed in peanut butter under the guidelines established by the government’s Control Manual. This means that, on average, a 28-ounce jar of peanut butter contains 238 fragments. This number is even more outrageous when you consider that insects can enter food storage facilities and contaminate products.
The FDA says that “food with high concentrations of rodent filth will be regulated” to ensure that consumers don’t ingest it. Insects are everywhere, even in the most popular foods. For example, frozen broccoli and spinach can contain up to 50 aphids per 100 grams.
Insect parts that are microscopic are not harmful to your health. If the levels are more than 12 percent, the FDA will take action. If you’re concerned about whether peanut butter contains insect parts, you can look for the labeling of the product. If the product has a mold or insect count of 12 percent or higher, you should seek an organic version. Organic peanut butter should be labeled as “natural,” and contain no additives.
